Thrissur school owner tells students who skipped I-Day event to 'go to Pakistan'

A Thrissur school owner told students who skipped the Independence Day event to go to Pakistan. The remark triggered protests, prompted explanations on WhatsApp, and ended with an apology.Dr Raju Davis, owner of the Dr. Raju Davis International School in Mala in Thrissur.A school owner in Kerala’s Thrissur has sparked a controversy after telling students who skipped the Independence Day celebrations at his school to “go to Pakistan”, saying they did not deserve to live in India.Dr Raju Davis, owner of Dr Raju Davis International School in Mala, Thrissur, made the remarks in messages shared on school WhatsApp groups after more than half of the parents reportedly did not send their children to school for the August 15 celebrations.Davis said he had spent an additional Rs 1 lakh to arrange buses on all routes to bring students to school for the Independence Day programme, but many parents chose not to send their children.“I could have put it in my pocket without organising it but I didn’t do that as I wanted our children to know why we celebrate this day and the greatness of it,” he said in the WhatsApp message. “More than half of parents have not sent their children to school. I won’t let them inside class tomorrow. They have to meet me in person and give an explanation. This is very very bad. These people must go to some other nation, Pakistan. They don’t deserve to live here,” he said.Davis later sent an audio message saying his remarks had been misunderstood and sought to explain why he had specifically referred to Pakistan. “I did not say that one should go to the country of a particular religion. I did not ask to go to Sudan, Bangladesh or Arab countries. I said Pakistan because since 1947 Pakistan is our country’s enemy nation,” he said.He also said that taking part in Independence Day celebrations was the responsibility of everyone, including parents who were expected to send their children to the event.“I made the message very clear but some people misunderstood it. I said it’s everybody’s responsibility to take part in it. And the responsibility of the parents to send their children to the event. I said those who do not attend must go to Pakistan,” Davis said in the audio.WHY DAVIS SAID HE ORGANISED THE EVENTDavis said the Independence Day celebrations were intended to help the younger generation understand the significance of the occasion and the sacrifices made by previous generations.“Independence Day is celebrated so our current generation gets to know what our ancestors did for us,” he said.He said the school had arranged buses on all routes and incurred an additional expense of Rs 1 lakh for the arrangements.“I could have put it in my pocket without organising it but I didn’t do that as I wanted our children to know why we celebrate this day and the greatness of it,” he said.PROTESTS ERUPTThe remarks drew protests from student organisations in Kerala.The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student wing of the Congress, protested over the issue.KSU activists staged a protest in front of Dr Raju Davis’ residence. Police arrested and removed KSU activists who blocked the road during the protest.Davis later sent another audio message expressing his apologies for the remarks.- EndsPublished By: Sonali VermaPublished On: Aug 17, 2026 16:09 IST